There are no shortages of older buildings in San Francisco. While these old homes and apartment buildings may have their own charm, they also often have lead paint since it was not banned until 1978. When lead-based paint is in good shape, it poses little health threat to you or…
There are many types of mold, and none are actually toxic like some news outlets would have you believe. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, “toxic mold” is a misnomer. Some molds can produce toxins, but are not themselves poisonous or toxic to individuals. This does…
When renting in California, you are bound to encounter some old and slightly rundown apartments. If you are a tenant in the same unit for a few years, you will likely be the one to discuss something that is broken or in a potentially dangerous condition. If your landlord is…
As a renter in the San Francisco Bay Area, you have probably heard the term “implied warranty of habitability” thrown around by friends, neighbors, and even lawyers on TV. However, without a thorough understanding of what this means, you are not truly able to protect your tenant rights and hold…
Has your landlord been harassing you or bothering you for no good reason? Harassment can make your life miserable, and may cause you a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety. In San Francisco, as in other places, landlords are not allowed to bother their tenants. Laws prevent landlords from taking…
Tenants in the San Francisco area often wonder what they can do if their landlord fails to fix problems with their apartment. Landlords are responsible for providing a space that is livable. There are some things that tenants can do to resolve issues that are not being taken care of…
In Part II of our post on landlord-tenant legal issues, we answer your questions on security deposits, evictions, and unlawful detainers. Rent and Security Deposits A major expense most renters face is paying a rent or security deposit. Landlords can demand deposits equivalent to one to two months’ rent before…
You become a tenant when you agree to pay an amount in rent for access to property for a period of time. Aa a tenant you have rights. Tenant rights and landlord-tenant law as a whole are ever-evolving. Tenant rights may be mandated by federal, state, or local laws that…
If you expect that you will be needing to rent an apartment in a few years, your experience will likely be significantly different from that of modern-day renters. Today, your payment of rent covers the cost of your room as well as your water use. This is because most apartment…
Finding rental housing in California is not always an easy task. In some neighborhoods, there may be no rentals available for individuals who need housing but do not have friends or family to call upon and who are unable to qualify for a mortgage. In other neighborhoods, rentals may be…